Continuing its modernization program for its surface fleet, Babcock International officially announced the start of construction on HMS Formidable for the Royal Navy, the third ship of the Inspiration class (Type 31). The keel-laying ceremony, held at the Rosyth shipyard in Scotland, marked another milestone in this naval project, which envisions the delivery of five frigates over the next decade.
The ceremony was attended by officials from the Royal Navy and the UK Ministry of Defence, who participated in the traditional coin-laying ceremony beneath the ship’s first modular section, a symbol of good fortune for the vessel and its crew. This milestone reaffirms the continued progress of the Type 31 program, which aims not only to provide the UK with a new generation of multi-purpose frigates but also to revitalize the British maritime industry.
In this regard, Babcock’s Chief Marine Officer, Sir Nick Hine, emphasized that “the construction of HMS Formidable represents a pivotal moment for Rosyth, where our team is executing some of the world’s most advanced defense programs.” Alongside this progress, the company announced the expansion of its strategic alliance with the US shipyard HII, through which Rosyth will participate in the manufacture of complex assemblies for Virginia-class submarines, thus joining the trilateral effort of the AUKUS agreement between Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
The Type 31 frigate program, valued at approximately £10 billion, is a cornerstone of the UK’s so-called “Fleet of the Future.” The series will consist of the frigates HMS Venturer, Active, Formidable, Bulldog, and Inconstant, designed with modularity, efficiency, and sustainability in mind. The first unit, HMS Venturer, has already reached significant milestones with the installation of its integrated mast and the completion of its main structure, while the second, HMS Active, is progressing through its assembly phase.
Each Type 31 frigate will have a length of 139 meters, a displacement of 5,700 tons, and a reduced crew of 120. Its armament will include a 57mm Bofors Mk 110 main gun, two 40mm Bofors Mk 4 guns, the Sea Ceptor missile system, and a flight deck suitable for Wildcat and Merlin helicopters. With these characteristics, the Inspiration class is poised to be a key asset for ensuring global maritime security, supporting NATO missions, and strengthening the Royal Navy’s expeditionary capabilities in the coming decades.
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